December 25, 2025

@michaelokun

Can Christmas calm the Parkinson's brain? Spoiler alert: YES, we can prove it w/ brain signals recorded from actual persons w/ Parkinson's implanted w/ DBS devices. Beta activity refers to a brain signal measured in the subthalamic nucleus that frequently rises when Parkinson’s symptoms are worse and falls when symptoms improve. Feldmann, Neumann colleagues describe in a paper in Movement Disorders how Christmas alters brain signals recorded from deep brain stimulation systems in the setting of Parkinson’s disease. Key Points: - Christmas Eve was associated w/ a consistent reduction in subthalamic beta activity when compared to non festive days. - The strongest signal changes occurred in the late afternoon and early evening, which is a common time for social gathering and celebration. - Brain network analyses showed these changes were linked to motor circuits targeted by deep brain stimulation. My take: Social context matters when it comes to brain signals and to disease. I love this paper and for those of you celebrating Christmas today just know it is good for your brain. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Everyday life events like holidays can change brain signals tied to Parkinson’s symptoms. 2- Positive experiences such as social connection, food, music and celebration may increase dopamine related activity. 3- Brain sensing technology facilitates health care providers seeing how real world behavior can affect the Parkinson’s brain. 4- Adaptive DBS systems will need to account for lifestyle patterns, not just for symptoms on clinic visits. 5- Joyful activities are not just meaningful emotionally, they may also influence brain biology in the setting of Parkinson’s and likely beyond. https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.29334 #fixelinstitute #michaelokun #parkinson #christmas #christmastime